K-1 Bible TV Special 1/97
-1 1/2hr. Q=1st Gen

Excellent year in review show that shows highlights of roughly
40 bouts from 1996. Good tape if you aren't familiar with K-1 as it shows highlights
of the major bouts of the year and has separate segments on most of the big
stars.

Andy Hug vs. Mike Bernardo. As usual, Hug had the most exciting
fight on the show. Hug being in his home country made it more exciting because
the fans were really into everything he did. Bernardo got off to a good start
against him, but he's so one-dimensional. Bernardo, as usual, didn't establish
any kind of kicking offense and doesn't really work the body with punches, so
in the later rounds Hug was able to avoid most of the punch to the head offense
a more tired Bernardo's was throwing at him.

Francisco Filho vs. Sam Greco. Filho put Greco down in 10 seconds
with a lame combination. Greco got up, but the ref waved it off. Supposedly
the right got Greco in the right spot.

Jerome Le Banner vs. Ernesto Hoost. Hoost surprised me by fighting
such a fast 1st round. Of course, Le Banner being so aggressive had something
to do with it, but Hoost's strategy was to cover up, back away, and wait
for Le Banner to make a mistake.

Mike Bernardo vs. Peter Aerts. Bernardo forced Aerts into the
role of counter puncher. Aerts never found his rhythm, but he hits so damn
hard that all it takes is a small opening and one good shot. Bernardo did
a good job defensively in R2, but surprisingly throwing low kicks early in
R3 may have got him more out of his game than Aerts.

Masaaki Satake vs. Andy Hug. Satake tried to come out slugging,
but Hug put him out with a high kick in 10 seconds.

Tournament Semifinals

Francisco Filho vs. Ernesto Hoost. One of Hoost's most patient fights. Disciplined
defensive struggle that was tough to score. Hoost didn't want to let Filho
lay back, so he edged in and made him throw. Hoost didn't have much luck
countering Filho's kicks.

Peter Aerts vs. Andy Hug. Hug had the much easier 1st round fight and was in
top form, while Aerts wasn't at his best and was worse the second time out.
Hug did well in the 2nd round except Aerts made him pay for missing a kakato
otoshi. Hug pressured Aerts and Aerts wasn't successful counter punching.

Tournament Final: Andy Hug vs. Ernesto Hoost. Good competitive high stakes
fight. Hug was kicked low almost as soon as the match started. Otherwise,
the 1st round was about setting each other up. Hug's left foot was messed
up, but he had to kick with it anyway since that's his main striking foot.
Hug jumped at Hoost at the start of round 3 only to take a left hook to the
face. Hug is not the better fighter, but he grinded it out and kept R1 &
R3 close enough that the fight could have gone either way. Although Hug weathered
Hoost's typically flurry at the start of R2, that round was still the key
to Hoost's victory.